The 2009 Chevy Malibu
After a strong debut last year, the Chevy Malibu maintains its star status this year. The 2009 Chevy Malibu model includes careful upgrades for better performance and to add useful new features, while at the same time not tinkering with the Malibu's excellent performance and handling characteristics that made it so successful in the first place.
New in 2009 is a six-speed automatic transmission for all trims except the base LS, increasing performance and gas mileage. Stability Control is now standard in all trim levels. Bluetooth connectivity allows for easier hands-free mobile phone use. The power-adjustable pedal option has been removed, however.
The 2009 Chevy Malibu comes in four trim levels: the low-end LS, the midrange 1 LT and 2LT, and the luxury LTZ. Some of the options on the more expensive higher-trim models can be added to the lower trim levels.
The standard engine available on all Chevy Malibu trims is a 2.4-liter V4 that produced 169 horsepower (hp) and 160 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. The LS equips this engine with a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The 1LT also has the option of a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine provides very good fuel economy at 22 mpg (35.5 kpg) for city driving and 32 mpg (51.5 kpg) on the highway.
The 2LT and the LTZ have the option of a more powerful engine—a 3.6-liter V6 that puts out 252 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes with the six-speed automatic transmission. Getting gas mileage of 17 mpg (27 kpg) for city driving and 26 mpg (42 kpg) on the highway, the fuel economy for the V6 engine is not as good as for its four-cylinder little brother.
Finally, a hybrid model is available, combining the already fuel-efficient four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor that does not need to be plugged in and recharged. The hybrid model is only available with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The surprisingly powerful V4 engine provides decent performance, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 kph) in less than 10 seconds. The V6 engine, on the other hand, is a muscle car engine in a midsize sedan, accelerating from 0 to 60 in 6.6 seconds. At highway speeds, the cabin is surprisingly quiet due to excellent sound insulation and acoustic-laminated windows. The Chevy Malibu has excellent handling, cornering precisely and providing a smooth ride even over rough pavement. The Chevy Malibu's long wheelbase provides lots of leg room for passengers. The comfortable and supportive seats are highly adjustable, making even long drives relatively easy.
Standard safety features on all trim levels include stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, and both front seat and side curtain airbags. In government front and side impact crash tests, the 2009 Chevy Malibu earned a perfect five stars.
To find faults with the 2009 Chevy Malibu, one can to descend to the level of nit-picking. There is no center arm rest, which may annoy some drivers. Other drivers find the steering wheel to be too wide and the foot pedals to be inconveniently arranged. A few key luxury features are not available, such as a GPS navigation system with a head-up display. The Chevy Malibu can be equipped with OnStar, however, which provides "turn-by-turn" audio directions. Overall, however, the 2009 Chevy Malibu remains one of the best cars available today in the family-oriented, midsize sedan market.